Grille



Sept. 21, 1937.

A. B. WERDEHOFF 2,093,499A

GGGG LE ii 0%@ MM'4 ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 21, 1.937. A. B. wERDEHoFF GRILLEy Filed Nov. i9, 1954 2 sheets-sheet 2 .f f d T7 M me o VJ T my. m

Patented Sept.` 2l, 1937 UNITED STAT-Es Albert B. Werdehoff, Lake Orion, Mich., assignor to Chrysler Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application November 19, 1934, serial No. 753,627 1 13 claims. (01.,2937-54)` This invention relatesto grilles and refers more particularly to improvements in grille structures adapted to provide a front facing for. motor vehicle radiators. 1 1

` One object' of` my invention is to provide a grille structure having improved qualities of strength, low manufacturing cost, ease of manufacture and assembly. '-1.

` A further object of my invention is to provide a grillehaving its component members secured 1 Vtogether, in an improved manner.`

Further` objects and advantages of my inventionwill be more4 apparent hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment Aof my invention and in which: 1 Y 1 l Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of my grillen r Fig. 2 is aside elevational view thereof on-a reduced scale. 1 .1 Y 2O Fig.` 3 is an enlarged sectional`view along the line 3-3 ofFig. 1. i

Fig. 4 is a detail sectionalview along the'line `ll-ll ofFig. 1.4 i

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of the grille 2 5 members shown in Fig.`4. 1 1 v Fig. 6 is an enlarged iront elevational" vieWof a portion of the top of the grille With/partsthere* of broken away to illustrate `the structurelY Fig. 'l is a detail sectional viewalong the line 1 1 0fFg.6. 1

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 6 but atthe bot- `torn portion of the grille. 1 l

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional viewalong the line 35 Fig. l0 is an enlarged front elevationalview of the crank receiving portion of the grille. 1

Fig."11` andFig. 12 are detail sectional views respectively along the lines II-Il and |2`l2 of `Figli). 1 1- `v w 1 In the drawings reference" character A represents the top` relatively heavy or strong lateral -iramel member, B the corresponding bottom vmerri- "`ber`, and C the vertical central relatively strong bar or rib. u Extending-generally verticallyl between'frame members A and 1 3 area laterally spaced seresof bars` D crossed -at vertically spaced points by the generally laterally extending" front bars E and companion rear` bars F.

` The bars D are return bent metal stampings preferably of Ushape in cross-section as Viewed inFig. A3, the laterally separated side portionsjZll, 2l thereof `being relatively long and presenting rear faces notched at `221.','Ihe rear bars` F and the front bars E are preferably in theforin oi relatively thin plates, these bars each having laterally spaced notches 23 and 241 respectively. As best shownin Figs. 3, y4, and 5 the notches 22 and 23 are adapted for registration, with portions of thev rear bar F atthe sidesof notch `23 engag- -ing the side portions Ziland 2l ofeachl of the vertical bars D While the upper and lower edges of `the bars D boundingv the notches 22- engage the upper and lower faces 'of the associated bars F rearwardly ofthe notches 23thereof. 1 1' 10 l'I'he fronti bars E have their notches 24 opening rearwardly to closely receiveth'e vertical bars D vwith Vthe sides of the notches 26,1engaging the side portions of the verticalbararthe `oppositely extending vertical barengaging portions of the 15 bars E and F contacting in overlapping relationship as shown inV Fig. 4. These ,overlapping portions are preferably securedtogether as by'welding at suitable points or spots 25, whereby 'the `front* and rear bars arer'ixed` securely together 20 and with` the vertical bars D by reason of the engaged notches 22, 23, and 241. The lateral iront bars E terminate'forwardly in the relatively wide `bent beads 25 and while these beads may ormthe Aouter''l'lnishsuriaceof the front bars, I preferably `25 secure tothe beads. 2li a nish strip ormember 2ll adapted for attachment either by springing the same on the bead or else by sliding the same inwardly.` The central vertical bar-C is also provided with' .notches 22a `for` receiving the notched 30 central-portion 28 of each of the rear bars F, the latter preferably extending across the grille for substantially thewhole width thereof.' As best shownin Fig. 3the bars E and F may be inclined outwardly and rearwardly from the central-bar C 35 tospace the inner edges 29 of the front' bars E from the 'sides of thevertical bar C suliiciently to receive the side portions of a nish strip or bar 3D secured to the central bar` Calthough if desired the finish strip 30 may be omitted. Any `41:0 'suitablen formlzoff'fasteners indicated in Fig. l at `3| 'may be employed to hold the nish bar 30 Ito the central bar C.

. 'The vertical bars Cand D lare adapted to be rigidly secured `to thev top and bottom frame 45 grally formed with alternate bars D. The central bar C is preferably formed as a unit with one of the plates 32 or 33 although, if desired, this central bar may be welded to the top bar A as a separate member.

At the bottom of the grille structure alternate bars D are likewise formed as a part of the bottom laterally extending plates 32a and 33a similarly welded together and at suitable points to the bottom frame member B. As shown in Fig. 9 the plates 32a and 33a have engaged or nested strengthening ribs 35 and 36 respectively, it being understood that if desired the companion plates of the ribs D may both be constructed as shown in Fig. '1 or Fig. 9.

In Figs. 10, 11, and 12 I have illustrated the manner in which a section of thegrille structure may be removed to accommodate the cranking portion of a hand crank (not illustrated) since ordinarily it is desired to make provisions for the reception of a crank for starting the motor vehicle engine.

At a lower central region of the grille structure I have provided the relatively short lateral angle bars 31 and 38 for providing a reinforcement for the grille structure adjacent the crank receiving opening 39. The reinforcing bars 31, 38 are secured to certain of the vertical bars D adjacent the central bar C by reason of the laterally bent tongues 40 of the bars D, these tongues being passed through suitable openings in the reinforcing bars and then bent along the inner faces of the reinforcing bars for welding thereto. The central bar C is likewise formed with a corresponding pair of tongues 4l!a for locking engagement with each of the reinforcing bars 31 and 38. G represents the removable grille portion to provide the opening 39 for the reception of the crank, this removable portion having relatively short vertical bars D' and C respectively aligned with the interrupted ends of the vertical bars D and C so that in general appearance the vertical bars D and C extend continuously across the opening 39. The removable grille portion G is provided with the reinforcing angle bars 4|, 42 adapted to slidably engage the reinforcing members 31 and 38. In order to removably secure the portion G normally in position to close the opening 39, the bars 4| and 42 are provided with spring fasteners 43 which are adapted to yieldingly spring behind the rear faces of the bars 31 and 38 as will be apparent from Fig. 11.

Various modifications and changes will be apparent from the teachings of my invention, as set forth in the appended claims and it is not my' intention to limit my invention to the particular details of construction and operation shown and described for illustrative purposes.

What I claim is:

1. In a grille for a motor vehicle radiator, a plurality of laterally spaced substantially vertically extending bars, said vertical bars having a series of laterally aligned rearwardly opening notches in their rear faces, a laterally extending rear bar having a series of laterally spaced forwardly opening notches in its front face for registration in the notches of said vertical bars with portions of said rear bar adjacent the notches thereof engaging the sides of said vertical bars, and a laterally extending front bar having a series of laterally spaced rearwardly opening notches in its` rear face for receiving the front faces of said vertical bars.

2. In a grille for a motor vehicle radiator, a plurality of laterally spaced substantially `vertically extending bars, said vertical bars having a series of laterally aligned rearwardly opening notches in their rear faces, a laterally extending rear bar having a series of laterally spaced forwardly opening notches in its front face for registration in the notches of said vertical bars with portions of said rear bar adjacent the notches thereof engaging the sides of said vertical bars, and a laterally extending front bar having a series of laterally spaced rearwardly opening notches in its rear face for receiving the front faces of said vertical bars, with portions of said front bar engaging said rear bar portions.

3. In a grille for a motor vehicle radiator, a plurality of laterally spaced substantially vertically extending bars, said vertical bars having a series of laterally aligned rearwardly opening notches in their rear faces, a laterally extending rear bar having a series of laterally spaced forwardly opening notches in its front face for registration in the notches of said vertical bars with portions of said rear bar adjacent the notches thereof engaging the sides of said vertical bars, and a laterally extending front bar having a series of laterally spaced rearwardly opening notches in its rear face for receiving the front faces of said vertical bars with portions of said front bar engaging said rear bar portions, said front bar portions also engaging the sides of said vertical bars.

4. In a grille for a motor vehicle radiator, a plurality of laterally spaced substantially vertically extending bars, said vertical bars having a series of laterally aligned rearwardly opening notches in their rear faces, a laterally extending rear bar having a series of laterally spaced forwardly opening notches in its front face for registration in the notches of said vertical bars with portions of said rear bar adjacent the notches thereof engaging the sides of said vertical bars, and a laterally extending front bar having a series of laterally spaced rearwardly opening notches in its rear face for receiving the front faces of said vertical bars, with portions of said front bar engaging said rear bar portions in overlapping relationship therewith.

5. In a grille for a motor vehicle radiator, a plurality of laterally spaced substantially vertically extending bars, said vertical bars having a series of laterally aligned rearwardly opening notches in their rear faces, a laterally extending rear bar having a series of laterally spaced forwardly opening notches in its front face for registration in the notches of said vertical bars with portions of said rear bar adjacent the notches thereof engaging the sides of said vertical bars, and a laterally extending front bar having a series of laterally spaced rearwardly opening notches in its rear face for receiving the front faces of said vertical bars, with portions of said front bar engaging said rear bar portions in overlapping relationship therewith, said overlapping portions of said front and rear bars being welded together.

6. In a grille for a motor vehicle radiator, a plurality of laterally spaced substantially vertically extending bars, said vertical bars having a series of laterally aligned rearwardly opening notches in their rear faces, a laterally extending rear bar having a series of laterally spaced forwardly opening notches in its front face for registration in the notches of said vertical bars with portions of said rear bar adjacent the notches thereof engaging the sides of said vertical bars, and a laterallyrextending front bar .forwardly opening notches in its front face for registration in the notches of said vertical bars with portions of said rear bar adjacent the notches thereof engaging the sides of said vertical bars, and a laterally extending front bar having a series of `laterally spaced rearwardly opening notches inits rear face for receiving the front faces of said vertical bars, said-front and rear` bars comprising relatively thin plates of metal. l

8. In a grillefor a motor vehicle radiator, a plurality of laterally spaced' substantially vertically extendingbars, said vertical rbars having a. series of laterally aligned rearwardly opening notches in their rear faces, a laterally extending rear bar having a series of laterally spaced forwardly` opening no-tches in its front face for registration in the notches of said vertical bars with portions of said rear bar adjacent the notches thereof engaging the sides of said vertical bars, and a laterally extending front bar having a series of laterally spaced rearwardly opening notches in its rear face for receiving the front faces of said vertical bars, said front and rear v bars `comprising relatively thin plates of metal,

said front bar being bent to provide a relatively high bead alongits lateral front face.

9. In a grille for a motor vehicle radiator, a plurality of laterally spaced substantially Vertically extending bars, said vertical bars having a series of laterally aligned rearwardly opening notches in their rear faces, a laterally extending rear bar having a series of laterallyspaced forwardly opening notches in its front face for registration in the notches of said vertical bars `with portions o-f said rear i bar adjacent the lnotches thereof engaging the sides of said vertical bars, and a laterally extending front bar having a series of laterally spaced rearwardly opening notches in its rear face for receiving the front faces of said vertical bars,` and a vertically extending central bar, one en-d of said front bar extending laterally and rearwardly from said central bar.

l0. In a grille for a motor vehicle radiator, a

f plurality of laterally spaced substantially vertically extending bars, said vertical bars having a series of laterally aligned rearwardly opening notches in their rear faces, a laterally extending rear bar having a series of laterally spaced forwardly opening notches in its front face for registration in the notches of said vertical bars with portions of said rear bar adjacent the notches thereof engaging the sides of said vertical bars, a laterally extending fro-nt bar having a series of laterally spaced rearwardly opening notches in its rear face for receiving the front faces of said vertical bars, a vertically extending central bar, oneend of said front bar extending laterally and rearwardly from said central bar to' provide a space between said central and front bar, and a channeled finish bar attached to the front of said central bar and having a portion thereof in the last said space.

11. In a grille for a motor vehicle radiator, a

plurality of laterally spaced substantially ver-r tically extending bars, said vertical bars having a series of laterally aligned rearwardly opening notches in their rear faces, a laterally extending rear bar having a series of laterally spaced forwardly opening notches in its front face for registration in the notches of said vertical bars with portions of said rear bar adjacent the notches thereof engaging the si-des of said vertical bars, a laterally extending front bar having a series of laterally spaced rearwardly opening vnotches in its rear face for receiving the front faces of said verti-cal bars, said front bar being bent to provide a bead along its lateral front face, and a nish bar secured to said bead.

12. A grille comprising a series of parallel bars formed of sheet metal and of a U'shaped cross section, a cross bar comprising two members, one i formed with a horizontal flange portion with a bead or head at its front edge and being provided with a series of slots opening through its rear edge and extending to said head for receiving said parallel bars, with the bend in the U lying adjacent to said head and the other of said members lying adjacent and secured to sai-d horizontal flange and forming a closure for the slots therein.

13. A grille comprising a series of parallel bars formed of sheet metal and of a U-shaped cross section, a cross bar comprising twoI members, one formed with a horizontal flange portion with a bead or head at its front edge and being provided witha series of slots opening through its 'e' ing the slots therein, the said members being welded to each other.

ALBERT B. WERDEHOFF. 

